BERECROFT Residents’ Association has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2016, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Berecroft Resident Association is a volunteer group all of whom live on the estate. Seventeen years ago when Berecroft moved from Council control to a housing association the Residents’ Association was set up. Since inception a core group of volunteers has worked closely with the Council, the housing association, the police and the fire and rescue service. The Association has run clubs for fishing, football, craft, swimming and jobs. In addition, weekly walks are arranged, trips for the elderly, local wardens, and there is a website (www.berecroft.co.uk) offering local help and advice. Youth nuisance has dropped dramatically on the estate with help of refurbishment of the play area and lighting .

Zulqar Cheema & Frank Alecs from Berecroft Residents’ Association attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace on the 24 May 2016 where they saw the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Berecroft Residents’ Association will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant later this summer.

Councillor Jon Clempner, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “Congratulations to Berecroft Residents’ Association for this fully deserved Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is an excellent example of the community spirit for which Harlow can be rightly proud. The group of volunteers who run the association work extremely hard to make a positive and visible difference to the community they represent. Harlow has a thriving network of residents’ associations and this award shows what can be achieved over time through the dedication and commitment of volunteers. The Council is keen to help set-up and support more residents’ associations, and information on what we can do to help can be found at www.harlow.gov.uk/residents-association.”

Ends